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7 Threats Your Anti-Malware Protection Should Be Catching

Anti-malware is a catchall phrase for protection against many types of cyberattacks, but not all anti-malware protection products catch the same threats. Considering that the company offering free anti-malware also offers a paid version and an advanced version, it’s pretty obvious that these versions do not all provide the same coverage.

In today’s online environment, where cybercriminals use sophisticated technology and often seem to have the upper hand, you need anti-malware protection that employs file scanning, network monitoring and process behavior protection to keep you and your family safe.

Let’s take a closer look at each.

File scanning

File scanning is just what it sounds like. The software scans your computer in search of malware. You probably will not find anti-malware protection that does not offer file scanning. The question is, how easy is it to use?

You need to be able to easily set your file scanning preferences. Also, when malware is found, you will need an easy-to-understand reporting system that processes and reports threats, then gives you clear alternatives about how to handle those threats. But some file scanning user interfaces are so hard to understand you end up leaving everything set in default mode. And that may not be the best solution for you.

Network monitoring

Network monitoring provides live tracking of websites and email that are constantly putting new files on your computer. It monitors both incoming and outgoing internet activity to make sure you aren’t accidentally spreading malware.

Network monitoring also makes sure that other devices that are sometimes on and sometimes off the network aren’t bringing new threats home to roost. Kids can bring home some amazing stuff on their phones, and some of it is liable to include malware. When they log in to the family WiFi, everyone else on the network is at risk unless your firewall and network monitoring are doing their jobs. And sometimes mom and dad bring home malware on USB memory sticks that network monitoring catches before it does any damage.

Process behavior protection

In the early days of antivirus software, every virus had its own signature built into its file. A file scan would check signatures against a spreadsheet of know virus signatures. That basic virus protection isn’t enough anymore. Today’s malware has become very good at hiding whatever signature it might have, and at mutating itself on the fly to prevent detection. Process behavior protection monitors and reports abnormal behaviors that are likely malware. It stays current thanks to machine learning, a process by which anti-malware on any computer learns from its own experience on that computer plus the collective experience of similar anti-malware programs with which it can receive online updates. Best in class process behavior protection that identifies all threats is critical to any effective anti-malware program.

With these three processes in place, your family’s computers should be safe from these 7 active threats:

Viruses that corrupt files on your computer.

Ransomware that encrypts your files until you pay a ransom to regain access to them.

Email phishing that tricks you into clicking a link in an email that will download malware onto your computer.

Exploits and other internet attacks that continue to evolve. The better anti-malware becomes, the more cybercriminals work to make their malware more deceptive.

Recap

For any protection to be worthy of the name anti-malware, it must incorporate files scanning, network monitoring and process behavior protection while keeping you save from the seven threats listed above. It also needs to be super-easy to use.